Two of The Undertaker’s closest friends in the wrestling business have revealed the iconic superstar’s thoughts on his former WWE rival’s viscera.
In the 1990s, Henry O. Godwin and Midian were part of The Undertaker’s famous behind-the-scenes group known as the Bone Street Crew (BSK). At the 1996 Royal Rumble, The Deadman saw Viscera (f.k.a. King Mabel) injure Godwin in a 30-man match from backstage.
In an interview with Monte and Pharaoh, Midian recalled how the WWE Hall of Famer grew tired of the 487-pound Superstar’s many missteps:
“I go to the Royal Rumble and the first thing I see is [Henry O’Godwin] and I’m hurt. I go to the locker room and Undertaker is pulling him because he pulled out Taker. Orbital Socket had broken.” He stabbed Kevin Nash in the back, he killed [Henry O’Godwin]. Whenever he wants people to take him seriously, like Stone Cold and Shawn [Michael] hurt him with fists [29:23 – 29:48]
Several months earlier, Viscera had injured The Undertaker’s eye socket during a match by misjudging a clothesline. The former WWE Champion wore a Phantom of the Opera-style mask upon his return.
As reported by Midian, The Undertaker clenched his fists backstage before Shawn Michaels vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 14 in 1998. The Phenom disliked Michaels’ bad attitude and was prepared to kill the Heartbreak Kid if he ruined Austin’s big moment.
What happened after The Undertaker complained about the negligence of the viscera?
Although he received a brief main-event push as the King Mabel character, Viscera did not last long in WWE after the 1996 Royal Rumble.
Henry O. Godwin said that The Undertaker’s backstage threats legitimately intimidated the giant superstar. A week later, he was handed his release from the company.
Godwin said, “Scared, a little scared, and they let him go the next week.” [29:55 – 29:59]
Viscera worked for WWE again between 1998–2000 and 2004–2008. He joined forces with The Deadman in 1999 to become a member of The Ministry of Darkness faction.
Do you have any favorite memories of Mabel/Visara? Let us know in the comments section below.